Roller Blinds to Measure

Whilst some people dive head first into buying new furniture, accessories and features for their newly decorated room, others will take time planning and deciding which colour scheme is right for them and what specifically will suit their home. The type of window treatment that is used can affect the entire appearance of a room and has the potential to transform what was once a dull and plain area into an interior designer’s dream.

The use of patterned roller blinds is becoming increasingly popular as they can help to brighten up an area within the house and work well with plain and neutral colour schemes. Whichever blind is chosen, it is important to remember that the extra cost involved when purchasing custom made blinds is definitely worth the investment. Made to measure roller blinds are both visually pleasing and energy efficient.

Whilst standard blinds may seem to fit any size window frame, they do not take into account the height or the length of the window. Because of this, blinds tend to become uneven and wrinkled at the bottom, resulting in a need to replace them. However, made to measure blinds will last much longer than general ones and will effectively block out any unwanted light and distractions getting through into the home.

Due to the correct measurements, this type of blind will not only look professional and sleek, but will also help to trap cold air that filters through the window pane and prevent the hot air inside the room from escaping outdoors, keeping homes warm and comfortable. During the summer months, the opposite will happen, keeping a house cool.

Made to measure roller blinds do tend to be more expensive than standard ones, although this is largely over exaggerated. Nowadays, a blind can be ready for collection within as little as 2 days. Couple that with the fact that measured blinds are available in huge range of colours and patterns and there is little reason not to invest.

To measure for a blind simply use a tape measure to calculate the width and length of a window. Once these are jotted down, most hard ware and furniture shops will provide you with the information you need. Made to measure roller blinds are unbeatable for their visual appeal and ability to transform a room into a sleek and professional home space.

10 Tips for choosing window treatments

The first thing you need to do is to establish what you want your window treatments to do: you may want to stop people being able to watch you eat for example? Or you might worried about the midday sun giving too much heat to your living room. For the first problem, roller blinds or curtains will most likely be most effective. For the second, venetian blinds offer far more control over the amount of shading. 

How much moisture in there in the room: Bathrooms and kitchens often have a lot of steam, so curtains are not the best option for these rooms as they can get damp.  Wooden blinds can warp from the steam too so they too may not be the best option. Instead try using metal or plastic blinds or maybe frosted glass. 

Make sure they complement your personal style: It’s important to take into consideration how you have decorated the room, is it modern and open, maybe you would favour lighter shades for the blinds, or is sophistication what you want, drapes are ideal for a timeless classy look.

Patterns: There are a greater range of options for patterned window treatments with roller blinds, roman blinds or curtains. They offer far more designs than Venetian blinds or micro blinds generally.

Consider the view from outside: you may to match your treatments to your décor; you should bear in mind what effect they will have on your view. For example a countryside landscape would most likely suit curtains or wooden blinds to keep a natural feel, whereas metal blinds can give your city flat a more modern futuristic feel.

Temperature: Your home may get cold easily. Thick drapes or honey comb blinds can offer great insulation for your home. If it gets too hot however then blinds or light curtains will offer protection from the light but let in a cooling breeze too. 

Shape of the Windows: Some window shapes are easier to find treatments for than others. Basic square or rectangular windows are very simple to cater for; other shapes however are more suited to curtains. You can now find blinds to fit almost all windows which helps a great deal. 

Safety: Window treatments are not the most dangerous of objects, but they can unfortunately, pose a couple of risks. Any window treatment with long control cords like a lot of blinds have the risk of catching and even strangling young children and pets. While long drapes that are situated near heat sources are flammable and may catch fire. Thinking about the positions of heat sources as well as using short cords or cord tidies when using blinds is essential. 

Cost: The final but just as important point is to consider how much you are willing to spend. Venetian or roller blinds generally are the cheapest options, with curtains and roman blinds being significantly more expensive. But this depends a lot on what shops you can find online as well as in the shops. 

Michael Turner is writing on behalf of Roman Blinds Direct an online supplier of roman blinds.

Windows in Your Home

Windows make homes look inviting from the outside and bring inside the outdoor light. According to the purpose of the room and the amount of privacy needed, windows are dressed or left bare. Some homes have windows with a uniform shape and size while others have a mix of dimensions and shapes. The architectural style and design along with personal preference often combine for the choice of window styles. Then, the interior designer or home owner selects the window treatments to match the interior decor.

Brightening the Home Space

One of the main jobs of windows is brightening the home living space. They also frame the outer environment so that those inside can peer out on the world around them. Homes are much more comfortable with glass openings that add the warmth of sunbeams. Then, rooms seem open and people's inner longing for nature is satisfied by looking at some bit of trees, grass or landscape out of windows. Interior spaces lose their enclosed feeling. The illumination goes beyond mere light because the very atmosphere seems warmer and more cheerful during the daytime hours if sunlight shines through the rooms.

Dressing up Windows

Some decor styles look best with bare windows such as industrial or some modern looks, but most homes appear more complete with some sort of dressing. Window treatments range from blinds and shades to light and airy curtains to black-out drapes. The purpose of the room and the amount of privacy needed help people decide what to put over the glass opening. Fancy or plain, putting something up that is seen from the outside gives the home the occupied look. Homes do not seem bare and lifeless when they have some pretty curtains or other attractive coverings hanging in the windows.

Celebrating Light and Decor Accents

While windows and their coverings assist in giving the home its character, windows are designed to celebrate light. Then, art and creativity can be expressed in decor accent window treatments. The coverings can block sun for those rooms where people sleep late or for those unoccupied rooms with furnishings that fade in the sunlight. The advanced technology in today's glass and double-panes provides an air-tight seal that keeps inclement weather from creeping indoors. In the meantime, the clear and quality glass lets sunbeams filter in through it unhindered. Lighted windows cheer the soul of the home and spread a joyful ambience.